Complete 26/11 probe by May 5: Pak court to authorities

April 29, 2009 14:21 IST

A Pakistani anti-terror court has directed authorities to complete their investigations against five suspects, including Lashker-e-Tayiba operative Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, accused in the Mumbai terror attacks by May 5.

Judge Sakhi Muhammad Kahut of the anti-terror court in Rawalpindi on Tuesday also directed the Federal Investigation Agency to submit the chargesheet against the five suspects by the same date.

The judge said this should be done to make way for the formal trial of the suspects Lakhvi, Zarar Shah, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Abu al Qama and Shahid Jameel Riaz. The court issued the direction after the FIA sought more time from the judge to prepare its chargesheet against the five men.

Judge Kahut is conducting the hearing of the case against the five suspects in the high-ecurity Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. Interior Minister Rehman Malik had recently confirmed the arrest of a sixth suspect in connection with the Mumbai attacks but his identity has not been revealed so far.

India has blamed Pakistan-based elements, including the LeT, for the Mumbai attacks that killed over 180 people. It has linked the resumption of the stalled composite dialogue to Pakistan taking action to bring the perpetrators of the attacks to justice.